Here's What Next Year's iPad Will Look Like

We'll find out in a few weeks how many it sold this summer, but in its first quarter of sales, Apple's iPad business generated more revenue than its iPod business -- and half as much as the Mac.

But we expect a new, improved iPad by early next year. (Perhaps called the "iPad 2?") And maybe even a couple of new iPads.

We don't think Apple will make any huge conceptual changes -- the current iPad works pretty well. But the 2011 iPads will almost certainly include more features, a different case design, and faster guts.

We've taken the liberty of making some mockups to give you an idea of what it might look like. To be clear, these are illustrations based on speculation -- not leaked photos.

Big picture, we don't expect any major structural changes. The beauty of the iPad is that it's just a big screen.

Retina display

The higher-resolution "retina" display debuted this summer on Apple's iPhone 4, and is now part of the iPod touch, too. It's so good -- especially for reading -- that it makes us want to use our iPhone 4 instead of our iPad sometimes.

We expect Apple's next iPad to include a "retina" display, with four times the pixel density of the current iPad. This will make reading websites and e-books a dream, and could make hi-def games and movies look even better.

Front-facing camera, FaceTime

Apple knows that if its FaceTime video chat service is going to take off, it needs as strong a network as possible. That means including it on all of its portable devices going forward.

And we fully expect the next iPad to have a front-facing camera and FaceTime support. It will be especially compelling on the large screen.

What about a rear-facing camera? It's possible, and Apple may include to have the same features as it has on the iPhone and iPod touch, and competing tablets. But it wouldn't be a dealbreaker if Apple left this off.

An iPad mini?

The newest tablets out there -- Samsung Galaxy Tab, RIM BlackBerry PlayBook -- seem to be converging on 7-inch screen size. And it's been rumored that Apple will also have a 7-inch iPad at some point.

This is not a bad idea. The iPad's 10-inch screen makes it very useful, and clearly sets it apart from smartphones and laptops, which was Apple's big goal for the debut iPad. But many would likely appreciate an iPad that is lighter, more portable, and can be held more easily in one hand. Something Kindle-sized is certainly a possibility.

Thin to win

The next iPad will almost certainly be thinner. The existing one feels pretty hollow, so we think Apple could save some space on the inside and make a thinner iPad.

RIM promises that its BlackBerry PlayBook will be 10 mm thin, or roughly 1/3 thinner than the iPad. Samsung's Galaxy Tab is a hair thinner than the iPad, too.

A skinnier frame -- and external antenna?

We anticipate a thinner metal frame surrounding the iPad, similar to that on the iPhone 4. It may also include the external antenna technology that Apple introduced with the iPhone 4 -- ideally, with any of the issues fixed that caused the "Antennagate" problem.

Faster guts

iFixit

We anticipate the iPad's processor and video technology will get a speed boost in the next edition, especially to fuel the retina display, which packs a lot of pixels.

But perhaps more important would be more RAM, so that you could do things like keep multiple web tabs loaded at the same time.

Verizon Wireless or other carriers

The rumored status of Apple's relationship with Verizon Wireless, the no. 1 U.S. wireless carrier, changes with the weather. But it would be smart for Apple to offer a 3G version of its tablet that's compatible with Verizon in the U.S., and other CDMA carriers worldwide. (Perhaps alongside a Verizon-flavored iPhone?

We don't think the 2011 iPad will be 4G compatible, because 4G won't be rolled out in enough places by then. But anything's possible. And it's a likely inclusion for the third iPad.

What about the back?

Apple's portable device lineup has a wide range of back materials. The iPad is a brushed aluminum. The iPhone 4 is glass. And the iPod touch is a shinier metal.

What will the next iPad use? The current one isn't as easy to hold on to as it could be -- a little on the slippery side. So a flat glass back like the iPhone 4 might be an improvement.

But that might also add weight to the device. And the curved back of the current iPad makes it thinner at the edges, giving it an overall sleeker look and feel. So perhaps Apple will leave this alone.

Less likely, plastic, like the iPhone 3G used. Would probably feel too cheap.

New iOS software

Apple's current iPad will get the iOS 4.2 software update later this year, which would obviously ship on next year's iPad, too.

But what's in store for the next iPad and iOS 4.3 or 4.4? Maybe the newsstand that Apple is reportedly developing with publishers? FaceTime is an obvious inclusion.

Colors!

The iPad is a fashion statement. So how about a full spectrum of colored iPads?

Of course, Apple is still having enough problems just offering the iPhone 4 in white. Despite being announced in June, the white iPhone 4 is still nowhere to be seen.

iAds for iPad

With some impressive media apps in the App Store -- ranging from Wired to Flipboard -- it seems inevitable that Apple will create an iPad-specific program for its iAds advertising business.

This may take a bit longer -- iAds are stil slowly rolling out for the iPhone -- but it's possible it could be available by 2011.

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Editors' Picks

I think Apple will be able to make an event out of the iPad 2.0 announcement. With that said, what you listed is not enough. I think Apple will talk about many functionality/feature improvements that will make many iPad 1.0 users think about upgrading.

2) I also see Apple taking more time to show how useful IPad can be with enterprise I actually think the massive amount of iPads being bought by business users is partially driving the solid sales. I still ask around who has an iPad and I really dont see many normal folks with it. It is still a first gen apple product. Most people dont catch on until 3-4th versions.

3) I think Facetime will be interesting. I wouldnt rule out a new version of Facetime designed just for iPad including conference calling. ( I think Apple will expand Facetime to iChat in 2012)

I guess my point is certain hardware bumps and new hardware additions are nice and all, but everyone can and will do that. Apple will exceed the competition via how they use those additions and they will focus on selling those points to the consumer. Case in point facetime. Everyone includes a front facing camera with their new phone but look at how Apple is stressing it as a key feature for iPhone and iPod Touch. Its just so simple and easy to use compared to anything else out there.

(i also see some changes with the portable mac lineup that can get very interesting...but I will leave that for another time and place)

This occurred to me this past weekend. I still dont have Snow Leopard (not sure what percent actually upgraded their mac to Snow Leopard). Still using Leopard.

Perfect way for people to upgrade to Leopard...make Facetime and better Mac connectivity to mobile iOS devices available to Macs running Snow Leopard only. I would be forced to upgrade that weekend (its only 29.99 anyways but still).

question becomes would they Apple need to do that in 2011?

I tend to think No. I think putting facetime in iPad by itself is enough to propel facetime, the feature, in all iOS devices for quite a few months.

when people get bored with having facetime on iPad, put facetime on Mac, and it can drive another round of interest in iOS devices.

2011 Apple calendar (that I think)

January: iPhone going to Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint and the iPad 2.0 unveiling. (very interesting i heard that Verizon CEO is giving a keynote at CES?...could very well be a double down on android...but still..intriguing). I do place the odds of iPhone moving to additional carriers at 80%. (just received in the mail a 15 page pamphlet from ATT on why I should use iPhone on ATT network over another network. My question: why use 15 pages to tell me this since I can only use iPhone on ATT...oh wait...yeah additional carrier options in 2011....

March: iOS 5.0 preview

June: iPhone 5 (maybe stick with 4 and add something else to the 4..I dont think Apple necessary wants to get too deep with new numbers for each year...but something like that will be decided by Steve 2 weeks before)

September: iPods

I think Apple is going to announce some major things with the Mac lineup (could be pushed to 2012...but I think you tie new Facetime on iChat with that). Could be a September event as well but I think this one is being floated around the most at Apple to get a sense of timelines and available resources.

and just to be clear:
I still think 2011 will continue to be iPad and iPhone focused.

I think any Mac lineup changes will be more of a move to continue solid market share gains and not any sort of big statement similar to iPad or iPhone

I also think the deals with additional carriers is probably not even in place yet. I do think ATT knows their exclusivity will end December 31 (or some other arbitrary date around then) but Apple has not settled on any other agreements yet (partially to avoid leaks). The reason I think Apple will expand to all three is that seems to be Apple's style. Why have some big announcement and just announce one carrier or leave other carriers hanging?

Sammy, a software feature that I could see in the near-term pipeline, but maybe not a spring launch is a multi-user environment based around facial recognition. It's a highly requested feature (at least the multi-user part), has been rumored for a while through vairous leaks and patent apps, and Apple just bought that facial rec company. Not having multiple user accoutnts on the iPad is more easily "felt" on the tablet than any other iOS device, and it would be one of those significant and ooh-ah features (at the same time) while possibly not requiring too much work (as far as, they've probably been working on it for a while but it hasn't been a high priority). Just speculation.

im pretty sure Apple has filed patents dealing with facial recognition. Not sure Apple would want a multi-user environment on iPad (they would perfer you just to buy iPads for each person) but I agree with you that a feature incorporating facial recognition in some capacity most likely would be down the line in iOS. Best part is Apple can designate a relatively small group to that feature's R&D and not fear too many leaks (and possible disappointment if the technology or feature fails to pan out)...sort of like what happened with Ping.

Retina display on iPad....still unsure about that....iPad price is so low to begin with...if the margin takes a major hit because of retina display..Apple will most likely not include it.

I don't think allowing multi-users makes owning multiple iPads any less desirable... in fact, it makes them more so. If you can easily share and become addicted to someone else's iPad part-time, you will want to own your own full-time. But not allowing multiple logins means, even a family with 3 or more iPads can't just leave them around for everyone to use without putting everyone's stuff on each iPad and avoiding much personalization. It's a win-win feature if it can be done without much complexity (multiple users/profiles still doesn't "work" very well in the home -- but once you start using an iPad for the whole family, the advantages of individual, personalized logins becomes apparent.)

I also don't foresee Retina Displays in the next rev. I suspect that one of the reasons we are seeing so many sub-5", 5", and 7" competitors isn't because others see it as a superior form factor, but because getting quality, hi-rez touchscreens at the larger sizes is very difficult without the buying power of Apple. I suspect producing quality touchscreens in larger sizes greatly increases cost and reduces volume of output. All the more so with higher-end, high ppi screens.